Page 48 of Realms of Shadow and Sun
She nodded, swallowing hard. “I'm ready.” With a deep breath, she moved towards the sky bridge, her legs trembling slightly. She took one tentative step onto the bridge before letting out a blood-curdling scream.
“Help! Someone help!”
The sound of running footsteps echoed behind her almost immediately. Three guards appeared on the bridge, their weapons drawn. In a flurry of motion, Phillippe and Grayden engaged them, their blades flashing in the dim light. The guards fell quickly, rendered unconscious by the skilled warriors.
“Help! Mother, help me!” Renya continued to scream, her voice growing hoarse with the effort. More guards appeared, but they posed little challenge for Grayden and Phillippe. The two men moved with deadly grace, dispatching their opponents with swift efficiency.
Renya ran down the hall towards where Sion had indicated Cressida's chambers were located. Her feet slapped against the cold stone, the sound echoing off the walls. Her heart raced, not just from the exertion, but from the fear that at any moment, their plan could unravel.
Finally, at the end of the corridor, a figure emerged from the shadows. Cressida stood there, resplendent even in her state of disarray. She wore a black silk nightgown, the fabric clinging to her form. She barely had time to process this sight before Grayden tackled her to the ground.
“Mother!” Renya cried out, her voice cracking with what she hoped sounded like desperation. She struggled against Grayden's grip, her eyes fixed on Cressida's face. “Please, help me! Don't let them take me!”
Cressida's lips curled into a sneer, her eyes glittering with malicious delight as she watched Grayden's face contort with anguish at Renya's words. “How dare you come to my palace, you foolish idiots,” she hissed. “She's bound to me. You couldn't take her even if she wanted to go. And she doesn't. Isn't that right, Renya?”
“Mother, please,” Renya pleaded, tears streaming down her face. She prayed they would be interpreted as tears of fear rather than the complex mix of emotions churning within her. “Help me! Don't let them take me!”
Cressida's sneer widened, clearly relishing Grayden's look of despair. “Oh, did you not realize? She's no longer fated to you. I'd kill you, but I made a promise that prevents me. But that doesn't mean I can't have someone else volunteer. Brandle!” she called, her voice ringing out with cruel anticipation.
Before the named individual could appear, Cyrus stepped into the corridor. Cressida's eyes widened, her face contorting with shock and fury. “You!” she spat, her voice dripping with venom.
Before she could raise her hands to cast a spell, Cyrus thrust his arms forward. Golden rays of light erupted from his fingertips, weaving into an intricate web that enveloped them all. With a blinding flash and a sensation of being wrenched through space, they vanished from the Shadow Realm.
The transition was jarring, leaving Renya disoriented and breathless. As her vision cleared, she found herself sprawled on damp grass, the earthy scent of the forest filling her nostrils. In the distance, she could have sworn she heard Cressida's enraged screams echoing across the realm.
Renya pushed herself up onto her elbows, her eyes quickly searching for her companions. Phillippe and Grayden were already getting to their feet, their postures tense as they scanned the area for potential threats. Only Cyrus remained standing, his face drawn with exhaustion from the magical exertion.
Before Renya could fully regain her bearings, strong arms encircled her, lifting her off the ground. Grayden cradled her against his chest, his heartbeat thundering beneath her ear.
“Put me down, Grayden,” she protested weakly, squirming in his grasp. “I can walk.”
Instead of complying, Grayden captured her lips in a searing kiss. Any remaining thoughts of propriety fled Renya's mind as she melted into his embrace. The kiss was desperate, filled with weeks of longing and fear. She felt weightless in his arms, all her worries momentarily forgotten as she lost herself in the familiar taste of his lips.
Renya's fingers found their way into Grayden's hair, longer and wilder than she remembered. As her hands explored, she encountered the roughness of a full beard, the sensation both foreign and thrilling. A small part of her mind, not completely lost to the passion of the moment, wondered how that beard would feel against other parts of her body.
“Okay, that's enough.” Phillippe's amused voice cut through their bubble of reunion. The sound of a sword being driven into the earth punctuated his words. “We have to get moving, you two.”
Grayden reluctantly set Renya down, but his hand immediately sought hers, their fingers intertwining. She squeezed gently, relishing the small gesture of affection.
“We need to move quickly and quietly,” Cyrus said, his voice carrying an edge of urgency. “I can use a cloaking spell, but I can't mask our voices or the environment around us. That means we watch every branch, every bush. We can't make any noise.” He extended his fingers, and a golden web of light enveloped them all. The world around them took on a hazy, dreamlike quality, as though viewed through a light mist.
“Which way?” Grayden asked, turning to Phillippe.
Phillippe's eyes scanned the horizon, taking in their surroundings. Behind them loomed the dark, forbidding forest of the Shadow Realm. Ahead, the darkness gradually gave way to a soft glow that illuminated another forest. “Northwest,” he declared, pulling his sword from the ground with a soft squelch.
As Phillippe took the lead, Renya leaned close to Grayden. “How does he do that?” she whispered, marveling at Phillippe's confident navigation.
“Shhh,” Cyrus cautioned gently.
I'm not sure, Little Fawn, Grayden's voice resonated in her mind.I know he spent time with a master navigator at camp.
Renya felt a surge of joy at the renewed connection, that empty space in her heart once again filled with Grayden's presence. A wave of giddy happiness washed over her, the reality of their reunion still sinking in.
I'm happy too, Renya,Grayden's mental voice was warm with affection.I can't wait to be alone with you. Just you wait.
A deep blush crept up Renya's neck and across her cheeks. She was grateful for the dim light that hopefully concealed her reaction. Her body thrummed with desire, longing to be truly alone with Grayden. For now, she had to content herself with the small circles he drew on her palm with his thumb, each touchsending shivers down her spine.
A deafening roar shattered the silence, causing Grayden to instinctively pull Renya against him, shielding her with his body. Phillippe unsheathed his sword in one fluid motion, while Cyrus raised his hands, golden energy crackling at his fingertips.
